This article is being updated regularly.
The Los Angeles denim community is coming together to share resources with people affected by the multiple fires scorching Los Angeles County.
Citizens of Humanity is arranging a clothing donation center at its downtown L.A. showroom.
“As an L.A.-based company, our roots, connections, and love for the people of Los Angeles run deep. The recent fires have impacted our community profoundly—both physically and emotionally—and our hearts go out to everyone affected,” said Amy Williams, Citizens of Humanity Group CEO. “Our hope is to do what we can to support those in need.”
Related Stories
As an immediate step, the company is donating over 3,500 units of women’s and men’s clothing from Agolde and Citizens of Humanity to those directly impacted by loss. The company is working to make these items available starting on Jan. 10.
“Our teams are currently finalizing distribution logistics, which will include a direct pick-up from our corporate office and from our local retail partners,” Williams said.
Donation pick up will take place at the Citizens of Humanity Corporate HQ’s employee parking in Huntington Park, Calf. from Jan. 10 to Jan. 17. It will be closed on Sunday, Jan. 12. An ID is required to match with affected areas.
Additionally, Citizens of Humanity is working with their retailers in the L.A. community to distribute donations of clothing and they plan to do the same through local schools.
Other denim brands are stepping up with relief efforts, as well.
Paige is offering 50 percent of any new product in-store and two free pairs of jeans and two tops to those impacted by the fires. The free jeans and tops will be chosen from selects styles and ID or proof of residency is required. The discount is valid at The Grove, Santa Monica, and Manhattan Beach store locations.
Centric Brands, which owns Hudson Jeans, Joe’s Jeans, Favorite Daughter and more, is donating $10,000 between the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
“We have 100-plus associates in our office in Los Angeles plus many partners and friends. We are committed to supporting and helping to rebuild the community. We are also partnering with Delivering Good and their on-the-ground partners to distribute needed products like T-shirts, socks, underwear, and backpacks,” said Amy Rapawy, Centric Brands senior vice president, marketing and philanthropy.
AG’s facilities and stores have not been impacted by the fires, but a spokesperson for the brand said that unfortunately, several of their employees had to evacuate, and some of their employees’ family members have lost their homes to the fires.
“Some of our local accounts have also either lost their stores, and/or the staff have lost their homes. It’s completely devastating, and we are currently working on relief efforts for the L.A. fires including donating clothing items and coordinating a food drive at corporate,” the spokesperson told Rivet.
Star Fades International (SFI) is donating 1,000 denim garments to the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. The next-gen wrote on Instagram, expressing gratitude for “the tremendous outpouring of concern and support” its received from the global denim community.
On Instagram, premium denim brand Mavi said the company has directed its donations to the Red Cross “to meet urgent needs.” It is also donating to the Animal Wellness Foundation to support injured and displaced animals.
Ace Rivington founder Beau Lawrence is offering to send anyone in need of clothing a free pair of jeans, T-shirt or flannel. While stock is low, the owner of the Santa Barbara-based retailer said pieces can be shipped next day to a safe address.
“We’re sending out a blast to all of our customers to supply anyone who lost their homes with some extra clothing. We’re having people place a free order online that includes their height, waist size, and shirt size. From there we will find some products that we think will work for them and ship them out for free,” a brand rep told Rivet.
Devin Kang, creative director of the L.A. based brand NOEND Denim, took to Instagram to share his efforts to get clothing in the hands of people who need it. In an Instagram story, he wrote: “For people who we’re affected by the fire, please contact me if you could not pack while evacuating and need clothes. I will find a way to get those clothes to you ASAP.”
Kang urged people who are affected by the fires to don’t wait to reach out. “We are all here to help in whatever way we can, even if it’s a little. You are not being an inconvenience. We care about you. So reach out and let us assist you,” he wrote.
Genious Group founder Adriano Goldschmied said he is safe with family in Italy. “Our area in Pasadena is evacuated and no news for now about the house. My thoughts and prayers for the people that are suffering,” he told Rivet.
On social media Denim Dudes is sharing the GoFundMe accounts set up for individuals in the denim field who’ve lost their homes including Troy Strebe, the director of denim wash design and fabric sourcing at Paige, and Louis David, the founder of Utopia, an independent chain-stitching business. David also lost all of his embroidery equipment.
